The 2010–11 St. Louis Blues season was the team's 44th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 5, 1967.[1]

Quick Facts St. Louis Blues, Division ...
2010–11 St. Louis Blues
Division4th Central
Conference11th Western
2010–11 record38–33–11
Home record23–13–5
Road record15–20–6
Goals for240
Goals against234
Team information
General managerDoug Armstrong
CoachDavis Payne
CaptainEric Brewer (Oct.–Feb.)
Vacant (Feb.–Apr.)
Alternate captainsDavid Backes
Barret Jackman
Erik Johnson (Oct.–Feb.)
Alexander Steen
ArenaScottrade Center
Average attendance19,150
Team leaders
GoalsDavid Backes (31)
AssistsAlex Pietrangelo (32)
PointsDavid Backes (62)
Penalty minutesB. J. Crombeen (154)
Plus/minusDavid Backes (+32)
WinsJaroslav Halak (27)
Goals against averageJaroslav Halak (2.48)
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The Blues posted a regular season record of 38 wins, 33 losses and 11 overtime/shootout losses for 87 points, failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second consecutive season. Until the 2017–18 NHL season, this was the final season that the Blues did not make the playoffs.

Off-season

On April 14, the Blues announced that Davis Payne would be retained as head coach, making him the 23rd head coach of the franchise.
Doug Armstrong was named the new general manager, replacing Larry Pleau, who will serve in a different capacity in the organization.[2] On June 1, former player Scott Mellanby was hired as an assistant coach.[3] On June 18, the Blues hired former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch as their new goaltending coach. He joined the Blues on July 1.[4]

On July 1, Doug Armstrong became the team's new general manager.[5] Also on July 1, Dave Taylor became the new director of player personnel. He was previously with the Dallas Stars for three years and prior to that with the Los Angeles Kings organization as both a player and in their front office for 30 years.[6]

On August 12, Dr. Jerome Gilden, the Blues' team doctor since their inception in 1967, died.[7]

On August 27, forward Paul Kariya (a free agent at the time) announced that he would sit out the entire 2010–11 season due to post-concussion syndrome.[8][9]

Divisional standings

More information GP, W ...
Central Division[10]
GP W L OTL ROW GF GA Pts
1 y-Detroit Red Wings8247251043261241104
2 Nashville Predators824427113821919499
3 Chicago Blackhawks82442993825822597
4 St. Louis Blues823833113424023487
5 Columbus Blue Jackets823435132921525881
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Conference standings

More information R, Div ...
Western Conference
R Div GP W L OTL ROW GF GA Pts
1 p – Vancouver CanucksNW825419950262185117
2 y – San Jose SharksPA824825943248213105
3 y – Detroit Red WingsCE8247251043261241104
4 Anaheim DucksPA82473054323923599
5 Nashville PredatorsCE824427113821919499
6 Phoenix CoyotesPA824326133823122699
7 Los Angeles KingsPA82463063621919898
8 Chicago BlackhawksCE82442993825822597
8.5
9 Dallas StarsPA824229113722723395
10 Calgary FlamesNW824129123225023794
11 St. Louis BluesCE823833113424023487
12 Minnesota WildNW82393583620623386
13 Columbus Blue JacketsCE823435132921525881
14 Colorado AvalancheNW82304482422728868
15 Edmonton OilersNW822545122319326962
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bold – qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; p – Won President's Trophy (best record in NHL)
CE – Central Division, NW – Northwest Division, PA – Pacific Division

Schedule and results

Pre-season

Schedule and results

Blues Schedule
On FSN, unless noted otherwise on VS.

  • Green background indicates win (2 points).
  • Red background indicates regulation loss (0 points).
  • White background indicates overtime/shootout loss (1 point).
More information October: 6–1–2 (Home: 5–0–0; Road: 1–1–2), November: 6–7–1 (Home: 3–1–1; Road: 3-6–0) ...
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Season

November

T. J. Oshie broke his ankle in Columbus on November 10 during a fight midway in the third period playing the Columbus Blue Jackets when a Blue Jacket player fell on him; he will be out at least three months. He had surgery the next day.[12] Just before that game, after a November 7 shutout (game #4) win, the Blues were off to their best start in team history, with seven consecutive wins for 20 points (9–1–2) in only 12 games.[13]

Ratings have soared for the Blues on FSN with 16 telecasts averaging 3.6, a whopping 59% higher than the 2.3 rating compared to the same time last year. October was the best-season opening month in Blues' history for games on the network. A record 5.6 rating was achieved on November 4 (Blues at home against the San Jose Sharks) beating the 5.0 rating for a game on March 29, 2000. The team has also sold out each one of its nine home games so far with 19,150 per game, for a total of 172,350.[14]

December

The slew of key injuries this season continued with the concussion that Andy McDonald received on the last play of the December 4 game against the Edmonton Oilers in an overtime loss. He is the fourth Blue to suffer the debilitating injury with Cam Janssen and Carlo Colaiacovo returning, but David Perron still out with his since November 4.[15]

T. J. Oshie began a light skate on December 23, six weeks after suffering a broken ankle on November 10,[16] and could return by the end of January.[17]

January

David Backes was named the lone Blues' representative for the NHL All-Star Game for January 30, his first.[18]

T. J. Oshie was activated and available for the game on January 18 after missing 31 games since a broken ankle on November 10.[19]

On January 20, the Blues updated the status of two forwards with concussions: Andy McDonald and David Perron. McDonald passed a baseline concussion test and has resumed light skating. He has been out of the lineup since December 4. Perron is still experiencing symptoms but will begin light exercise to see how his body responds. He has been out of the lineup since November 4.[20]

February

On February 1, the Blues announced that the day's home game against the Colorado Avalanche was postponed due to severe weather. No make-up date has been set.[21]

On February 2, the Blues announced that February 22 at 7pm is to be the make-up date for the February 1 postponed game.[22]

Andy McDonald has been activated from injured reserve and will play against the Edmonton Oilers on February 4. He has missed 24 games since his December 4 concussion. To make room for him, the Blues sent Philip McRae down to the American Hockey League's Peoria Rivermen.[23]

On February 18, the Blues traded their captain, Eric Brewer to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for unsigned draft choice Brock Beukeboom and a third-round pick in the upcoming 2011 NHL Entry Draft.[24]

On a second consecutive day of trading, the Blues traded Erik Johnson, Jay McClement and a 2011 or 2012 first-round draft choice to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for former first-round draft choices Chris Stewart, Kevin Shattenkirk and a conditional 2011 or 2012 second-round draft choice.[25]

The team responded to the changes in the next game that same February 19 evening. After spotting the Anaheim Ducks an 0–2 deficit, they scored two quick goals to tie the game, and then two others in the first period for a slender 4–3 lead. They then blasted four more goals in the second period, including two consecutive goals late in the period by newcomer Chris Stewart (with Kevin Shattenkirk setting him up for his second goal), and one more in the third in a runaway 9–3 win. It was the highest number of goals scored by the Blues in a single game since they scored their all-time high of 11 against the Ottawa Senators in 1994.[26]

David Perron has been trying to get back onto the ice since his November 4 concussion. He has missed 50 games (through game #60 on February 24). He passed a baseline test last month and has begun light exercises.[27]

Ben Bishop recorded his first NHL shutout against the Edmonton Oilers, stopping all 39 shots in a 5–0 win in Edmonton on February 25.[28]

In the third major trade in barely over a week, on February 27, the Blues traded Brad Boyes to the Buffalo Sabres for a second-round draft pick.[29]

The Blues suffered a rare shutout at the Buffalo game after 111 consecutive games, the longest in the NHL and only eight games shy of the Blues' record.[30]

The Blues on February 28, the Blues placed goaltender Ty Conklin on waivers, but he cleared them with no team picking him up, so he remains a Blue for now. The team can either send him to the Peoria Rivermen, or ask goaltender Ben Bishop to be demoted.[31][32]

In a move just before the NHL trade deadline at 3pm EST, on February 28, the Blues traded left-winger Brad Winchester for a third-round draft pick from the Anaheim Ducks in 2012.[33]

March

After a glittering 9–1–2 (20 points in 12 games) start, the Blues plagued by injuries and sub-par performances by key personnel, dropped to an even record (28–28–9) with a loss to the New York Islanders on March 5. They have since struggled to a 19–27–7 (45 points in 53 games) record after that November 7 high point.

Prior to the March 7 game, a 5–4 shootout win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team honored its four greatest players to wear the number 7 jersey in a "Salute to No. 7": Red Berenson, Garry Unger, Joe Mullen, and Keith Tkachuk. Transcripts of the four speeches are here.[34]

Defenseman Barret Jackman and forward Alexander Steen (both alternate captains), will miss four-to-six weeks due to injuries suffered in the overtime win on March 9.[35][36] The team subsequently elevated 21-year-old, up-and-coming defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and veteran Andy McDonald to alternate captains.[37]

On March 16, Chairman Dave Checketts announced he was putting up for sale his 20% stake in the franchise and the Scottrade Center. TowerBrook Capital Partners owns 70% and other minority investors (including a local beer distributor Tom Stillman) own the other 10%.[38] On March 17, it was announced that both the St. Louis Blues franchise and the Scottrade Center were for sale.[39]

On March 30, the Blues defeated the Detroit Red Wings 10–3 at Joe Louis Arena.[40] It was the first time an NHL team had scored 10 goals in a regular season game since February 6, 2009, when the Dallas Stars defeated the New York Rangers at home by a score of 10–2.[41] It was also the first time that the Blues had scored 10 goals in a regular-season game since February 26, 1994, when they defeated the Ottawa Senators in an 11–1 road win.[42]

April

On April 1, the Blues were officially eliminated from the playoffs with a 3–2 loss to the Calgary Flames with a record of 35–33–10 (80 points) and four games to play. Calgary now has 89 points while the Blues can now only get to 88 points. Jarome Iginla got two goals plus an assist in the win to become the 77th player to reach 1,000 points in his career with the game-winning wrist shot on a breakaway with only 5:03 remaining in the third period.[43] He has 39 goals and 41 assists in 79 games this season, and 480 goals plus 520 assists in 1,103 career regular-season games.[44]

On April 9, David Backes earned a plus-minus team-high of +32, Alexander Steen scored his 20th goal with 49 seconds remaining in the game – which was also his 100th career NHL goal – and T. J. Oshie scored the first goal in a 2–0 shutout by Jaroslav Halak for the third time this season over the Nashville Predators.[45]

The Blues finished in fourth place in the Central Division and 11th place in the Western Conference with a 38–33–11 (87 points) record.

The Blues concluded the regular season having allowed the fewest shorthanded goals in the NHL, with just one.[46]

Playoffs

The Blues failed to qualify for the playoffs again after having failed to qualify in 2009–10.

Player statistics

Skaters

(Updated through games of April 9, 2011) FINAL
Stats

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

More information Regular season, Player ...
Regular season
Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM
David Backes823131623293
Patrik Berglund81223052-326
Alexander Steen72203151-326
Andy McDonald582030501826
Matt D'Agostini82212546840
Alex Pietrangelo791132431819
Brad Boyes (-2/27) ‡621229411130
T. J. Oshie491222341015
Vladimir Sobotka6572229-469
Carlo Colaiacovo6562026-423
Chris Stewart (2/19- ) †2615823415
Erik Johnson (-2/18) ‡5551419-837
Kevin Shattenkirk (2/19- ) †2621517716
Jay McClement (-2/18) ‡5661016-1318
B. J. Crombeen807714-18154
Eric Brewer ( -2/14) ‡548614157
Brad Winchester (-2/27) ‡579514-986
Barret Jackman6001313357
Roman Polak553912-433
Nikita Nikitin41189110
David Perron10527712
Chris Porter45347-416
Adam Cracknell2434718
Cam Janssen54134-6131
Ryan Reaves28224-178
Ian Cole26134635
Nathan Oystrick912319
T. J. Hensick13123-52
Philip McRae15123-102
Dave Scatchard801116
Tyson Strachan29011-1039
Nicholas Drazenovic3000-30
Stefan Della Rovere7000011
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* indicates not currently on the active roster.
+ indicates on Injured Reserve.
Traded away mid-season, date of last game in ( ). Stats reflect time with Blues only.
Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Blues, date of first game in ( ). Stats reflect time with Blues only. Bold = leading team in category.

Goaltenders

(Updated through games of April 9, 2011, FINAL)
Stats

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts

More information Regular season, Player ...
Regular season
Player GP Min W L OT GA GAA SA Sv% SO G A PIM
Jaroslav Halak573,294272171362.481,518  .9107006
Ty Conklin251,285  8  84  693.22   582  .8812004
Ben Bishop 7  369  3  40  172.76   168  .8991000
TOTALS824,9483833112222.692,268  .902100010
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Awards and records

Awards

More information Player, Award ...
Regular Season
PlayerAwardAwarded
Jaroslav Halak[47]NHL Second Star of the WeekOctober 25, 2010
Jaroslav Halak[48]NHL Third Star of the WeekNovember 8, 2010
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Milestones

More information Player, Milestone ...
Regular Season
PlayerMilestoneReached
Ryan Reaves1st Career NHL GameOctober 11, 2010
Alexander Steen200th Career NHL PointOctober 14, 2010
Andy McDonald400th Career NHL PointOctober 22, 2010
Jay McClement400th Career NHL GameOctober 23, 2010
Ian Cole1st Career NHL GameNovember 6, 2010
Nikita Nikitin1st Career NHL GameNovember 6, 2010
Nicholas Drazenovic1st Career NHL GameNovember 11, 2010
Brad Boyes300th Career NHL PointNovember 13, 2010
Carlo Colaiacovo100th Career NHL PointNovember 15, 2010
T. J. Hensick100th Career NHL GameNovember 17, 2010
David Backes300th Career NHL GameNovember 19, 2010
Eric Brewer700th Career NHL GameNovember 19, 2010
Alexander Steen400th Career NHL GameNovember 19, 2010
Stefan Della Rovere1st Career NHL GameDecember 1, 2010
David Backes100th Career NHL AssistDecember 9, 2010
Eric Brewer200th Career NHL PointDecember 15, 2010
Adam Cracknell1st Career NHL GameDecember 15, 2010
Adam Cracknell1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point
December 20, 2010
B. J. Crombeen200th Career NHL GameDecember 20, 2010
Barret Jackman100th Career NHL AssistDecember 28, 2010
Jay McClement100th Career NHL AssistJanuary 10, 2011
Philip McRae1st Career NHL GameJanuary 12, 2011
Ryan Reaves1st Career NHL Goal
1st Career NHL Point
January 12, 2011
Philip McRae1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point
January 13, 2011
Patrik Berglund100th Career NHL PointJanuary 22, 2011
Philip McRae1st Career NHL GoalJanuary 26, 2011
Nikita Nikitin1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point
February 4, 2011
Nikita Nikitin1st Career NHL GoalFebruary 6, 2011
T. J. Oshie100th Career NHL PointFebruary 6, 2011
Roman Polak200th Career NHL GameFebruary 8, 2011
Patrik Berglund200th Career NHL GameFebruary 11, 2011
Erik Johnson200th Career NHL GameFebruary 11, 2011
Barret Jackman500th Career NHL GameFebruary 14, 2011
David Backes200th Career NHL PointFebruary 19, 2011
Brad Winchester300th Career NHL GameFebruary 21, 2011
Andy McDonald600th Career NHL GameFebruary 22, 2011
Ben Bishop1st Career NHL ShutoutFebruary 25, 2011
Ian Cole1st Career NHL Goal
1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point
March 9, 2011
Adam Cracknell1st Career NHL GoalMarch 12, 2011
Ryan Reaves1st Career NHL AssistMarch 12, 2011
Carlo Colaiacovo300th Career NHL GameMarch 29, 2011
David Backes100th Career NHL GoalApril 1, 2011
Ty Conklin200th Career NHL GameApril 6, 2011
Alexander Steen100th Career NHL GoalApril 9, 2011
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Transactions

The Blues have been involved in the following transactions during the 2010–11 season.

Trades

More information Details ...
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Notes

  1. Conditional pick became a pick in 2011.
  2. Conditional pick became a pick in 2011.

Free agents acquired

PlayerFormer teamContract terms
Brennan Evans[59]Toronto Marlies2 years, $1.025 million
Nathan Oystrick[59]Anaheim Ducks1 year, $600,000
Dave Scatchard[60]Nashville Predators1 year, $550,000
Dean Arsene[61]Edmonton Oilers1 year, $600,000
Marek Svatos[62]Avangard Omsk1 year, $800,000
Kyle Wellwood[63]Mytishchi Atlant1 year, $650,000

Free agents lost

PlayerNew teamContract terms
Jonas Junland[64]Farjestad BK1 year
Chris Mason[65]Atlanta Thrashers2 years, $3.7 million
Nate Guenin[66]Columbus Blue Jackets1 year, $575,000
Mike Weaver[67]Florida Panthers2 years, $1.8 million

Claimed via waivers

More information Player, Former team ...
PlayerFormer teamDate claimed off waivers
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Lost via waivers

More information Player, New team ...
PlayerNew teamDate claimed off waivers
Marek Svatos[68]Nashville PredatorsDecember 29, 2010
Kyle Wellwood[69]San Jose SharksJanuary 18, 2011
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Lost via retirement

More information Player ...
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Players signings

PlayerContract terms
Tyler Shattock[72]3 years, $1.845 million entry-level contract
Anthony Nigro[73]3 years, $1.75 million entry-level contract
Adam Cracknell[74]1 year, $500,000
Jori Lehtera[75]2 years, $1.4625 million entry-level contract
David Rundblad[76]3 years, $2.7 million entry-level contract
Nikita Nikitin[77]1 year, $800,000 entry-level contract
Matt D'Agostini[78]1 year, $550,000
Vladimir Sobotka[79]1 year, $750,000
Alexander Steen[80]4 years, $13.45 million
Brad Winchester[81]1 year, $700,000
Jaroslav Halak[82]4 years, $15 million
Cam Janssen[83]1 year, $600,000
Carlo Colaiacovo[84]2 years, $4.25 million
Nicholas Drazenovic[85]1 year, $500,000
Tyson Strachan[86]1 year, $600,000
T. J. Hensick[87]1 year, $600,000
Ryan Reaves[88]1 year, $500,000
David Perron[89]2 years, $4.3 million
Erik Johnson[90]2 years, $5.2 million
David Spina[91]1 year, $500,000
David Backes[92]5 years, $22.5 million contract extension
Cade Fairchild[93]2 years, $1.25 million entry-level contract
David Shields[94]3 years, $1.75 million entry-level contract
Jay Barriball[95]1 year, $565,000 entry-level contract
Patrik Berglund[96][97]2 years, $4.5 million contract extension

Draft picks

St. Louis's picks at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles, June 25–26, 2010. The Blues had the 14th choice by virtue of finishing ninth in the conference in 2009–10.[98]

More information Round, Pick ...
Round Pick Player Position Nationality Team (League)
1 14 Jaden Schwartz C  Canada Tri-City Storm (USHL)
1 16 (from Ottawa) Vladimir Tarasenko C  Russia Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL)
2 44 Sebastian Wannstrom C  Sweden Brynäs IF (J20 SuperElit)
3 74 Max Gardiner C  United States Minnetonka High School (USHS-MN)
4 104 Jani Hakanpaa D  Finland Kiekko-Vantaa Jr. (Finland Jr-2)
5 134 Cody Beach RW  Canada Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
6 164 Stephen MacAulay LW  Canada Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
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Farm teams

Peoria Rivermen

The Peoria Rivermen are the Blues American Hockey League affiliate in 2010–11.

Alaska Aces

The Alaska Aces are the Blues affiliate in the ECHL.

See also

References

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